Hunting questions

RedPlanet

I understand that anyone can apply for a deer hunting licence in Ireland:
http://www.oasis.gov.ie/culture_and_recreation/sport_and_leisure/sport_in_ireland/deer_licences.html
I've never known anyone to do this, nor have i ever seen a deer in the wild.
My question is: what if you didn't have a firearm and actually wanted to hunt with a bow?
While visiting relations in the US who are avid hunters, they expressed interest in bringing their bows to ireland for this purpose.
I wonder if this is just totally out of the question, or maybe they wouldn't be allowed to bring a compound bow (including razor-bladed arrow tips) into the country.
I suppose they'd need to have private land (or private landowners permission) to hunt on anyway. Which they, nor i wouldn't have.
Ever heard of hunting deer with a bow in ireland?
Is there somebody or organisation providing accomodation for hunter tourists?

Rovi

I'm pretty sure bow hunting is illegal here, although I'm open to correction. AFAIK, even shotgun slugs are in something of a grey area, as the legislation on deer hunting specifically talks about 'rifles.'
You'd need permission from landowners or membership of a deer syndicate to get a deer licence.
There are procedures in place for the temporary importation of firearms, but I have no idea what would be involved in bringing in hunting bows, even if you had something to legally hunt. I presume the target archery people do this all the time, so I suppose they might know something about it.
There's an Archery board here, have you tried asking there?

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allnight_2002

Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this but hunting with a bow in ireland is illegal. But there are alot of archery clubs that you could take them to if they want to use their bows while over here.